Dune issue on the agenda

Damian McGill15 Oct 2016, 11:21 a.m.

PLAYING the blame game will not save the fragile Collingwood Beach foreshore, according to Vincentia residents Caroline Prentice and Hilton Sinclair.

The foreshore, over many years, has been the target for environmental vandals and clumps of dead, believed to be poisoned vegetation, are visible like scars along this important community and environmental asset.

Ms Prentice and Mr Sinclair, rather judging people for past wrongs, want to move forward and educate people on the importance of protecting this vital dune system.

“No matter which side of the fence you are on - pro view or pro trees - the fact is sand dune stability is the big issue,” Ms Prentice said.

“We love the area and we also want to share the area. We are so lucky and so grateful we live this close to the water and the beach which is enough for us.

“We don't need to change the environment we are in.

“You go to bed listening to the waves and you are in absolute paradise and there are few places on the South Coast where you can be this close to the water and that is what you should be grateful for - we are so lucky.”

The Vincentia couple want people to play a role in foreshore’s future care.

People can have a say on the issue as Shoalhaven City Council is calling on people to put in a submission on the foreshore’s future.

Go to www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au head to the documents on exhibition section to have your say before the close of business today (Wednesday Ocotber 19).

Ms Prentice and Mr Sinclair see a foreshore full of vegetation as being an insurance policy to protect their properties from severe weather events.

Even now they get sand coming into the properties during strong weather events.

“If the foreshore was bare it would be a lot worse,” Mr Sinclair said.

“The banksia are just the best.”

Mr Sinclair has a photo of one of his favourite spots on the foreshore on his phone and when he shows people the photo they are amazed.

The couple said diversity was the key to sustaining an ecosystem and pitting neighbour against neighbour was not going to help stabilise the dunes.

They find it ironic that in an area which is surrounded by national parks and a marine zone that a vital part of the coastal environment does not get afforded the same protection.

FOR EVERYONE: Vincentia residents Caroline Prentice and Hilton Sinclair want people to have a say on the Collingwood Beach foreshore to help protect it.

DAMAGE DONE: The Collingwood Beach foreshore over the years has been attacked by environmental vandals and the issue has been a hotly debated one.